United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: BOLTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL GUN CHARGE
Agrees to sentence of 92 months

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN WAGNER, age 41, of 209 West Street, Bolton, Connecticut, appeared in federal court in Hartford today and pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, WAGNER admitted that on April 29, 2004, he possessed three firearms: two Rugers, Model Vaquero, .44 - .40 caliber revolvers, and one Colt, Model Gold Cup Trophy, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. WAGNER further admitted that he brought the firearms to Hartford and, with an associate, attempted to sell the firearms to two Hartford Vice and Narcotics detectives posing as drug dealers.

In pleading guilty, WAGNER has agreed to a binding sentence of 92 months of imprisonment when he is sentenced on December 13, 2004.

WAGNER was convicted in Hartford Superior Court in February 2000 for tampering with a witness, and in Februrary 1995, for unlawful restraint in the first degree.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and officers of the Hartford Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas V. Daily.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in Connecticut's cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. More information on the nationwide Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative can be found at www.psn.gov.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov